GUNS YOUNG
Worcester’s academy is providing a rich seam of talent right now and amongst the promising teenagers pushing rapidly through their ranks is Ollie Lawrence.
Born in Birmingham but educated at Bromsgrove School, Lawrence came under the tutelage of former Warriors prop Tony Windo before finding his way to Sixways.
An admirer of Manu Tuilagi and Ma’a Nonu in his childhood, Lawrence’s buccaneering midfield style has similarities to both and so impressive has been his progress that England boss Eddie Jones felt compelled to call him into a senior England camp in May.
Lawrence recalls: “That was a great experience and one I’d like to repeat some time. There was stuff Eddie spoke to me about in defence and attack, but mainly he wanted me there to give me some experience and to give me a little taste of that elite environment.
“I’ve still got a lot to work on but it does give you that extra bit of drive to aspire to that level and being around coaches like Eddie and Paul Gustard was something I enjoyed.”
After appearing in three Anglo-Welsh Cup matches last season, Lawrence has made a bigger breakthrough in the current campaign after making his Premiership debut against Exeter in September and starting the last three European Challenge Cup and Premiership Cup matches.
He said: “There’s a lot of competition for centre positions but I’m just keep trying to push as hard as I can and then take my opportunities when I get them.
“My mentor at the club is Francois Venter, while Ryan Mills, Wynand Olivier and Ashley Beck have also really helped me and tried to put a lot into my game, even if it’s just looking at my games and how I train and picking things up they think I can improve on.
“Francois has hit some good form and is playing really well, so we’ve complemented each other really well in recent weeks and that’s showing on the field.”
Worcester’s results have also shown an upturn and with flanker Ted Hill becoming the latest Warriors academy product to be called up by England, morale is through the roof.
“It’s been great news for Ted and all the boys in the academy are rooting for him during the international period,” Lawrence said. “He’s put a lot of hard work in over the last few seasons and I’m glad he’s getting a good taste of it with England now.
“The academy coaches at Worcester are brilliant and our academy manager, Chim Gale, manages things really well. The boys who’ve come through over the last couple of seasons have been so good and we’re reaping the benefits of that on the field now.”
For Lawrence, the task ahead now is to aspire to the heights of his heroes. He added: “I loved watching Manu and Ma’a Nonu – big ball-carriers who like to offload – so a combination of Tuilagi, Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams would be pretty good!”